Hitting Extension for Body-Positioning Trainer

ABSTRACT

A hitting extension for a body-positioning trainer is disclosed. The hitting extension has an elongate, generally flat body with first and second ends spaced from one another. The second end terminates in a rounded distal edge. A first opening formed in the body proximate to the first end allows the hitting extension to be connected to the body-positioning trainer. The body-positioning trainer restricts the movement of the arms in order to allow the user to focus on torso movement, and the hitting extension allows the user to hit a ball, or another such projectile, using the trainer. Methods for training a user in torso movement using the hitting extension are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/702,856, filed Dec. 4, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/775,199, filed Dec. 4, 2018. The contents of all those applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to sports training and exercise equipment, and in particular, to a hitting extension for a body positioning trainer.

2. Description of Related Art

In baseball and softball, a batter hits the ball with a bat. Simple as that action may be to describe, the movements behind the action are complex, and training someone to perform them correctly is even more complex and difficult. Improving body positioning and equipment technique can improve performance in virtually all sports. In baseball and softball, for example, learning proper body positioning through swing can improve virtually any batter's hitting to some extent.

Various forms of training aids exist to teach both amateurs and professionals proper body positioning and equipment technique for various sports. These training aids vary considerably in form and function. One training aid, sold as THE REBEL'S RACK™ by Baseball Rebellion (Durham, N.C., United States), is a swing training aid for baseball, softball, tennis, and other sports that use an upper body swing. Holding this device in place against the body constrains the movement of the arms and encourages proper body positioning while the athlete is practices his/her swing. Additionally, the device is adapted to be connected to a resistance training system that may reinforce correct movement and strengthen the body during the movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention relates to a hitting extension for a body-positioning trainer. The hitting extension has an elongate, generally flat body with first and second ends spaced from one another. The second end terminates in a rounded distal edge. A first opening formed in the body proximate to the first end allows the hitting extension to be connected to the body-positioning trainer.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the combination of a hitting extension, as described above, and a body-positioning trainer.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to methods for training a body movement. The methods involve causing or allowing a user to hit one or more projectiles using a device that restricts the movement of the arms and forces the user to move the torso in order to hit the one or more projectiles. The device may include a hitting extension, as described above, in order to hit the one or more projectiles. In some cases, resistance may be used. The projectiles may be balls.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will be set forth in the description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The invention will be described with respect to the following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the figures, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body-positioning trainer with a hitting extension according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the body-positioning trainer with the hitting extension of FIG. 1 in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hitting extension, generally indicated at 10, according to one embodiment of the invention. The hitting extension 10 is shown mounted on a body-positioning trainer, generally indicated at 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the trainer 100 and hitting extension 10 in use.

The trainer 100 is an elongate, segmented member with a long axis that extends along its length. The trainer 100 has a first side flange 102, a second side flange 104, and a central portion 106. The first and second flanges 102, 104 are at least generally flat and are in the same or substantially the same plane—in other words, they are aligned with one another. The central portion 106 extends outward and away from the first and second flanges 102, 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion 106 has three segments: a first angled segment 108 that defines an acute angle with respect to the plane of the first and second flanges 102, 104, a second angled segment 110 with a slope opposite to the slope of the first angled segment 108, and a central segment 112 between the two angled segments 108, 112. The central segment 112 extends substantially parallel to the first and second flanges 102, 104.

In essence, the central portion 106 takes a trapezoidal shape as it extends away from the first and second flanges 102, 104. However, the central portion 106 may be a U-shape or some other shape in other embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, in use, a user U places the central portion 106 of the trainer 100 against the front of the chest, high on the torso. The first and second flanges 102, 104 insert behind the arms, and when the arms are held close to the torso, the trainer 100 is held in place. Holding the trainer 100 in position against the upper part of the chest constrains the movement of the user's arms. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the user's arms are farther from the torso than they might be in use, in order to show the details of the trainer's positioning.

The trainer 100 includes a set of openings 114, one in each flange 102, 104. These openings 114 can be used to attach the trainer 100 to a set of resistance bands or any number of other accessories.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the hitting extension 10 is rigidly connected to the trainer 100 by way of a fastener set 12 inserted into one of the openings 114, through both the trainer 100 and the hitting extension 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener set 12 comprises a bolt and corresponding nut, although other types of fasteners may be used. In some cases, a washer may be inserted into the opening 114 in order to fill space so as to secure a smaller fastener 12 in the larger opening 114.

The hitting extension 10 allows the user U to hit balls, such as tennis balls, whiffle balls and soft or compressible balls while using the trainer 100. In some cases, baseballs and softballs may be used, although it may be more advantageous to use the other types of balls for training purposes. However, with the motion of the arms constrained by the trainer 100, the user U moves the hitting extension 10 into position and hits primarily by moving the torso. This allows the user U to hit while focusing on proper movement of the torso, without using the arms, wrists, or hands. The force of the hitting extension 10 connecting with a ball may serve to strengthen the muscles and acclimate the user U to the forces generated during such a movement—those forces typically being different than the kinds of forces that are generated by a resistance band.

The hitting extension 10 itself is a generally flat bar that extends outwardly from one side of the trainer 100, in this case from the second flange 104 of the trainer 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the hitting extension 10 has the same or essentially the same width as the trainer 100 on which it is intended to be mounted, although in some cases it may be at least slightly wider. While not shown in the views of FIGS. 1 and 2, the hitting extension 10 has a corresponding opening to receive the fastener set 12 that secures the hitting extension to the trainer 100.

The fastener set 12 is secured tightly enough to prevent rotation of the hitting extension 10 relative to the trainer 100, and to keep it in the straight, linear position shown in FIG. 1. However, there may be situations in which a user U might wish to secure the hitting extension 10 in a different rotational position with respect to the trainer 100.

As can be seen particularly in FIG. 1, there is a substantial overlap between the hitting extension 10 and the second flange 104. In one embodiment, that overlap may be on the order of several inches. The overlap may help to reinforce and stabilize the hitting extension 10 by improving the ability of the hitting extension to resist impulse and bending forces that are generated when the hitting extension strikes a ball.

In the illustrated embodiment, the extension is about 24 inches (61 cm) in overall length, 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) in width, and 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) thick. The distal edge 14 of the hitting extension 10 is rounded, primarily for safety. The radius of curvature may be, e.g., 0.125 inches (0.3175 cm), but that radius of curvature is not critical and may vary from embodiment to embodiment. Similarly, other edges and corners of the hitting extension 10 may be rounded, beveled, chamfered, or otherwise modified in order to reduce any safety risk that they might otherwise pose.

Along substantially the entirety of its length, the hitting extension 16 has a series of perforations 16. In the illustrated embodiment, there are twelve of these perforations 16 arranged in two staggered rows of six, with each perforation 16 having a diameter of 0.5 inches (1.3 cm). However, the number and size of perforations 16 is not critical, and there may be more or fewer in other embodiments, so long as the hitting extension 16 remains stiff enough to hit a ball effectively. In general, the perforations 16 are provided in order to reduce the weight of the hitting extension 10, and, potentially, to reduce its air resistance during swing. While perforations 16 may be advantageous for those reasons, they may also be omitted in some embodiments.

The forward face 18 of the hitting extension is generally flat and planar, as is the opposite rear face 20, although either face may have a contour in particular embodiments.

Typically, the hitting extension 10 would be made of a metal, such as steel or aluminum, although other materials, like wood, plastics, and synthetic fiber-composites, may also be used in some cases. Generally speaking, the hitting extension 10 may be machined out of bulk material, made out of sheet metal, cast, molded, or fabricated with any other known process. There is no requirement that the trainer 100 and the hitting extension 10 be made of the same material, although it may be convenient to do so. For example, the trainer 100 and the hitting extension 10 may both be made of sheet steel of the same or nearly the same thickness. Alternatively, the trainer 100 may be made of steel and the hitting extension 10 may be made of another material, such as aluminum. In that case, the aluminum hitting extension 10 may be made somewhat thicker than the steel trainer 100, so that the two have roughly the same functional stiffness. Typically, both the trainer 100 and the hitting extension 10 will be anodized, but they may also be surface treated in other ways, including by painting, powder-coating, or other such processes.

As used here, the terms “rigid” and “rigidly” refer to a connection between the trainer 100 and the hitting extension 10 that allows the two joined elements 10, 100 to act as a single piece and that will not loosen with ordinary use of the trainer 100 and the hitting extension 10 to hit balls. The term “stiff” refers primarily to the tendency of a material to bend or break in response to a force. A hitting extension 10 is sufficiently stiff, as that term is used here, if an ordinary hit of a ball by a typical athlete does not cause permanent deflection (i.e., bending) or breakage of the hitting extension 10.

The hitting extension 10 of the illustrated embodiment is broad and flat, which may make it easier for a user U to hit a ball with it. However, the shape shown in the figures is not the only possible shape for a hitting extension. In some embodiments, the width, shape, or other characteristics may more closely match the characteristics of the hitting device that would normally be used in the sport in question. For example, a hitting extension in another embodiment could have the width and at least some of the typical curvature of a baseball or softball bat, a cricket bat, etc. This may also provide an added level of difficulty for the user.

While the hitting extension 10 is shown as being used with the trainer 100 shown in the figures, the extension 10 is not limited to being used with any particular trainer 100 or base. Rather, the extension 10 may be useful with any kind of trainer, and in particular, any kind of trainer that restricts the movement of the arms and forces the user to focus on torso movement. Additionally, as was noted above, the trainer 100 shown in the figures can be used with a series of elastic resistance bands which are coupled to it via the holes 114 at its ends. These bands may be used with the trainer 100 when the extension is installed.

Although certain portions of this description focus on the structure of the hitting extension 10 itself, and on its installation on the trainer 100, other aspects of the invention relate to methods for training users in proper body movements and swing mechanics using trainers and hitting extensions such as those described here. These methods will typically involve restricting the movement of the user's arms using either the trainer 100 or another such device, and directing or allowing a trainee to hit projectiles, such as balls, using the extension 10 by moving the torso to move the extension 10. As was described above, the trainee may be directed to perform the hitting exercise under resistance. Resistance may be provided in a variety of ways, ranging from connecting resistance bands to the trainer 100, providing body blocking or resistance using another device, or even manually providing resistance by pushing back against the torso, or against particular muscle groups, during swing. The trainee may be directed, for example, to perform training exercises in sets, swinging a certain number of times per set. The difficulty of the exercise may be increased by increasing resistance, if resistance is used, or by other mechanisms, like forcing the trainee to hit a heavier ball or a ball of a different size, or by measuring the characteristics of the ball's movement after it is hit and encouraging the user to improve those characteristics, such as the distance the ball travels after it is hit, or the direction in which it travels.

The extension 10 may also be used as a part of body conditioning or rehabilitative exercise, with the goal being to improve biomechanics and strength either selectively in certain muscle groups or throughout the upper body. The method of use and methods of training in body conditioning and rehabilitative situations will often be roughly the same as those used for swing training, but the metrics and goals may be different. Training sessions may be recorded on video for later analysis, and if desired, the extension 10 may bear markers or sensors to record its position, velocity, acceleration, and other such metrics.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting. Modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hitting extension for a body-positioning trainer, comprising: an elongate, generally flat body having first and second ends spaced from one another, the second end terminating in a rounded distal edge; and a first opening formed in the body proximate to the first end, the first opening adapted to allow the first end to be rigidly connected with a body-positioning trainer at different rotational positions with respect to the body-positioning trainer.
 2. The hitting extension of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of perforations spaced from one another along a length of the body.
 3. The hitting extension of claim 2, wherein the plurality of perforations comprises staggered rows of perforations.
 4. The hitting extension of claim 1, wherein the hitting extension is comprised of metal.
 5. The hitting extension of claim 1, wherein the first opening is adapted to receive a fastener.
 6. A method of training a body movement, comprising: causing or allowing a user to hit one or more projectiles with a device that restricts the movement of the arms and forces the user to move the torso in order to hit the one or more projectiles.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the device includes a hitting extension fixed to an end of the device.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprising causing or allowing the user to hit the one or more projectiles with the hitting extension.
 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising using resistance while hitting the one or more projectiles.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the resistance is provided by connecting at least one resistance band to the device. 